Chris Dixon's top tips for Sunday: Barrys Jack on the right track

Three Grade One races on the card at Fairyhouse provide some top-quality action on Sunday afternoon but from a punting perspective I’m sticking closer to home and heading to Carlisle for all of today’s selections as they host the finals of the Northern Lights Series.

With good prize money up for grabs there’s some competitive action but hopefully I can find a winner or two!

It’s a 780-mile round trip from Nigel Hawke’s Devon base to Carlisle so it’s surprising that his name has become a regular feature on racecards at the Cumbria track, but the trainer often makes it a worthwhile journey, boasting a strike rate north of 30 per cent from 26 runners there over the past five seasons.

Pearl Royale is his sole runner on the card today ad she has a strong chance of adding to that impressive record in the Listed mares chase.

She’s not been run since falling in the Towton at Wetherby in February but was very impressive when making a winning chase debut at Wincanton on Boxing Day last year, when she jumped boldly, maintained a strong pace and hammered some very useful rivals in Jessber’s Dream, Theatre Territory and On Demand.

Still unexposed over fences, she goes well fresh and looks likely to have the run of the race from the front at a track where it often pays to be handy.

Danny McMenamin’s clear highlight in a short career in the saddle so far came when partnering Nietzsche to win the Greatwood Hurdle two weeks ago and for the same owner-trainer combination he has a big chance with Barrys Jack.

Barrys Jack won twice over this course and distance last autumn, on both occasions from the same handicap mark as he competes off today, and he shaped as if coming back into top form on reappearance here in early-November, travelling sweetly into contention before leaving the impression the run would bring him on.

With McMenamin’s 7lb claim viewed as a big positive I expect he should take plenty of beating under optimum conditions.

After being pulled up on three consecutive starts it admittedly takes a leap of faith to back Nortonthorpelegend in the staying chase, so small stakes are advised.

However, in this race 12 months ago Rebecca Menzies’ charge was beaten only a neck from a mark of 114 and today goes off a mark of just 93.

It may be that he’s just lost his way completely but it’s also possible that he badly needed the run when returning from five months off in October and has been targeted at this race by a trainer who looks likely to have had her eye on this prize from some way out.

With her team in fine form at present, it’s worth taking the chance Nortonthorpelegend gets back to form.

It’s surprising that a pot just shy of £22k has only attracted a field of six for the 2m4f handicap chase that closes the card at Carlisle but connections of those who have turned up won’t be complaining and I’m hoping it’s Lucinda Russell who gets her hands on the prize.

Her contender, Present Flight, is without a win for three years and has been well held on both starts since a break but has suggested on both occasions that he retains his ability and enthusiasm.

With his handicap mark now 8lb lower than for the last of his wins, and 10lb lower than when second in January of this year, Present Flight is attractively handicapped nowadays and could be ready to take advantage with the testing ground/stiff track combination at this track likely to provide an ideal test for him.